ARKAYNA FLEW AFTER Tazma, pursuing her through the woods.
“You can attack me,” Tazma said, flying above her. “But if anything happens to this, you’ll never find her.”
“True,” Arkayna said, weighing her options. “But at least she’d be safe from you. Unleash the Dragon!”
Her Dragon avatar emerged from her bracer and knocked Tazma off course. Howling, she dropped the gem on the ground and it shattered, all of its beautiful green magic gone.
Arkayna watched as a furious Tazma flew away.
What am I supposed to do with this? she wondered as she stared at the gray pieces of glass. She fought back tears. There’s no way I’ll find my sister now.…
But there was another way. When Arkayna got back to the orphanage, Mrs. Sparklebottom said, “You know, the birth gems aren’t the only place I keep information. I remember every single baby who passes through my portal.” She tapped her forehead and magically pulled out a thread of memory. It turned into an image of her memory of the baby.
The baby floated up in front of Arkayna, who gasped. She would recognize that face anywhere.…
* * *
By the time Arkayna returned to the Astromancer Academy, she could barely contain herself. She finally had the answer she’d needed for so long. She rushed into the Star Chamber, now dressed as the princess. Choko had already transformed back. Before she could tell Nova Terron what happened, Proxima blasted through the wall.
“Reveal yourself!” Proxima said, pointing at Arkayna. “Who are you?”
Arkayna’s stomach dropped. Nova Terron’s spell must not have made Choko as convincing a princess as they had hoped. Proxima obviously knew something was up. She pulled at Arkayna’s cheeks and hair, trying to see if it was a mask.
“Hey, hands off the princess!” Em said, pushing her back.
“She’s not the princess!” Proxima yelled.
“I can assure you, I am definitely the princess,” Arkayna said calmly. She felt Choko trembling against her leg, terrified Proxima might look at him.
As soon as she spoke, Proxima seemed to settle down. Arkayna was sure Choko had messed up their plan. He’d probably chirped too many times or crawled into a corner and peed on something.
“The princess has important news,” Nova Terron said.
“The Mysticons found the identity of my twin,” Arkayna said, turning to Proxima. She stared into her green eyes, trying to see herself in them. Wondering if Proxima already knew, if she’d felt it somehow.
“Well, who is it?” Proxima said, searching Arkayna’s face.
“It’s you,” Arkayna said. “We’re sisters.”
They stood there, staring at each other. Arkayna couldn’t believe it was true. Would she ever feel close to Proxima? Had that been why Proxima annoyed her so much? Was it some normal, sisterly thing she hadn’t understood?
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She hoped one day this would all make sense.…